A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of a controversial Chester golf club after a creditors' meeting was held earlier this week.

A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of a controversial Chester golf club after a creditors' meeting was held earlier this week.

Directors of Mollington Grange Golf Club Ltd proposed to pay off some of its debts out of future prof its, allowing the club to continue to trade.

It is believed major creditors include Barclays Bank, Premium Credit and the Inland Revenue.

But the meeting, held at Chester's Holiday Inn in Wrexham Road, failed to reach agreement and was adjourned until June 16, leaving club members uncertain about the future.

The club has never been far from the headlines.

Former director Garry Chubb received a three months suspended jail sentence in 2001 after being prosecuted for dumping controlled waste at the site during its construction. Former golf director Ben Keegan reached an out-of-tribunal settlement alleging unfair dismissal.

The Highways authority instructed a lorry wheel washer be kept in order because of mud left on the road and Chester City Council planning department has outstanding issues at the site.

Golf course manager Mr Chubb lives at the course with his common-law-wife Susan Morgan, who owns the company along with his daughter Tracey Chubb. Mr Chubb, who spent Wednesday and Thursday at Chester Races, was unwilling to comment. It is understood the club's management believes negative publicity will harm the chances of creditors getting their money.

Kelly Mitchell of insolvency practitioners Tenon Recovery, who is dealing with the case, said: 'There is going to be a meeting in the middle of June and we will have to count the votes to see who has voted in favour and who has voted against. If we have a 75% vote in favour the Company Voluntary Arrangement will be put in operation.'

She refused to divulge exact details of the proposal but is understood creditors were offered only some of their money paid back over four years at this week's meeting.

One caller, who claimed to be a creditor but didn't want to be identif ied, said: 'It was a very steamy meeting. There were a lot of disgruntled people.'

Garry Chubb, who ceased being a director after he was declared bankrupt in March, 2000, told The Chronicle in 2001 that the 'worst is over.' The club has been the focus of concern from neighbours and various public bodies since construction began in 1993.

The people of Mollington were angry when construction wagons trundled through the village spraying dirt on the roads.

And Mr Chubb has twice been convicted of dumping illegal waste by the Environment Agency, sparking concerns of pollution.

The 55-year-old has also been under the close scrutiny of Chester City Council after breaching planning regulations. The council says outstanding issues remain in relation to the opening hours of the club house.

In the interview Mr Chubb admitted responsibility for what has happened in the past but said the golf course was a valuable part of the community and he wanted to mend the troubled relationship with his neighbours.

He said: 'I do already have a good relationship with many people in the area, a lot of them are members of the club, but some of the residents are still dead against me and I do want to change that.'

He added: 'We are nearly finished and the worst is over, but to build a beautiful golf course can take years.'